Review of Pyramids by Terry Pratchett

Pyramids by Terry Pratchett is a hilarious satire about ancient Egyptian mythology with some Greek satire thrown in as well. Young Teppic, the heir to the Djelibeybi desert kingdom, is sent off to be educated as an assassin because it is one of the professions that provide the most all round education. Shortly after he graduates his father dies and he goes home to take his place as the new king. Wanting to be a dutiful son he decides to build a pyramid for his father that is twice as big as any previously built. The pyramids tend to generate weird quantum energy and the sheer size of the new pyramid being constructed starts to do some strange things to time and space. This book made me laugh a lot and as always I really enjoyed the humorous footnotes.

Review of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Ancestors of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson

I really enjoyed reading Marion Zimmer Bradley's Ancestors of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson. In this story the combined kingdoms of Atlantis are destroyed by a cataclysm and the survivors must make their way to new lands to preserve their knowledge and traditions. The story kept me engaged despite being slow paced and when it was over it left me craving more. There are more books in the series, but not with the same characters(unless you count reincarnations that aren't even mentioned in the books for the most part). This book is the direct sequel to The Fall of Atlantis and takes place about 30 years later. The Fall of Atlantis was not originally part of the Avalon series, but Ancestors of Avalon connects it to the rest of the series. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical type fantasies with spiritual themes or anyone that is fascinated by the legends of Atlantis and Avalon.

Review of Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett is about a group of three witches who interfere in the affairs of the kingdom and use magic to try to help restore the rightful heir to the throne after the king is murdered and the killer takes his place. It is a very hilarious parody that is a mix of Macbeth and Hamlet with some other Shakespearean themes thrown in. As always I love Terry Pratchett's use of comedic imagery and footnotes. I definitely recommend this book to Discworld fans and anyone who enjoys witty British humor.

"Only in our dreams are we free. The rest of the time we need wages."

 ~Terry Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters

Review of The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley

The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley is the story of two sisters who grow up in the temple of light in the Ancient Land and tells about the difficult decisions and struggles they face and how their relationship is strained as they go down different paths. The story does contain elements of romance and mystery, but it is ultimately about the struggle between the light and the dark, good and evil. Romance isn't really my thing but I did not feel that the romantic elements in this story were overwhelming and I enjoyed the story overall even if was a bit slow paced at times. The only small peeve I have is that the title is misleading.

The story really isn't about Atlantis being destroyed and in fact most of the story doesn't even take place in Atlantis. A better title might have been "The Events Leading Up to the Fall of Atlantis", but I suppose that title would be too long and awkward. The Fall of Atlantis was not the original title though. It was originally published as two separate books, The Web of Light and the Web of Darkness, and then republished as one book under its current title. Another thing that people might not know is that this book is actually a part of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series. Originally it was only connected to the series by one minor detail that most would overlook, but then the book Ancestors of Avalon was published which is a direct sequel to The Fall of Atlantis. I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed other books in the Avalon series.